Gator Pam

I have a friend who is planning to move across the country at the end of next month. She has a lot of canned goods she’s not planning on taking with her. I saw a photo the other day the free pantry at one of the churches in Kirkland showing it could use some donations. I also went through some of my shelved food stuffs I wasn’t using, packed them up and picked up some goods from my friend. I then made my first donation at the pantry. Here’s hoping I did it right. I’ll probably make a stop once a week until my friend’s back stock is diminished. The outside of the pantry at Holy Spirit. What I found when I first opened it. And a few non food items on the bottom. After I added the items I brought. I hope some of these items will fill needy bellies. A lot of these foods need a can opener. Not that I can afford it, but if I could find a deal on bulk inexpensive manual can openers, like at least 100 but no more than $20 for them, I might order some to donate along with the canned goods.

I just returned from the Galentines Day bake off competition where I entered the Meyer Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberries that had the lumpy batter. Long story short, I didn’t win my category, even though I had a 50/50 chance as there were only two entries. Read the captions on the photos for details, including what the head judge told me as to why I didn’t win. As a reminder, here’s the practice cheesecake I made last week. This is the entry cheesecake immediately after decorating it. I tried a different method of piping the lemon curd which worked even less well, so I won’t do that method again. However, I think increasing the size of the heart definitely helped to define its shape better than the smaller one. Because the piping was so terrible, I decided to dress up the sides by adding miniature candy hearts to the sides. I think it definitely looks pretty… FullSizeRender.MOV Here’s how I displayed the cheesecake at the competition. We had to display our cakes by 12:30 PM with the winners scheduled to be announced at 3:00 PM. I used the lid of the inexpensive Dollar Tree cake carrier to hold ice so the cheesecake could sit out without being refrigerated. My only competition in the cake category. Obviously a carrot cake by someone much better at decorating than I am. This carrot cake won my category. It definitely looks luscious! What the head judge told me “off the record” after the competition ended was that the flavor and texture of the cheesecake itself was spot on. There was no evidence of the lumpy batter (yay!). If I had left it at that, I would have edged out the carrot cake to win. However, while the judges appreciated the color and look of the candy hearts on the sides of the cheesecake, they said the candies did not soften at all and that the crunch detracted from the smoothness of the rest of the bite. For that choice, they awarded it to the carrot cake. I had fun preparing, entertaining, and attending this event, though. I appreciate everyone’s input on the flavor choice and decoratingg ideas. I think I’ll definitely enter again if it’s held again next year!

I decided to do the Meyer Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberries for the bake-off. I’m very glad I did a practice run; several of my experiments did not work out. Fresh out of the Instant Pot and topped with sweetened sour cream and zest. The first lesson learned was to not use parchment paper around the sides. I thought it would help the sides look smooth rather than blurry, but the sides actually came out pocked as I pulled the parchment away. Removed from the push pan and plated for the three day rest. After “aging” for three days and ready to be decorated. I’m really terrible at decorating. This was taken immediately after decorating. Lessons learned here is to use a narrower tip to pipe the lemon curd, define the shape of the heart more with the whole blueberries flooding with the pie filling, and to not use the candies Meyer lemons at all. Their texture does not compliment the cheesecake at all. The decorated cheesecake after being refrigerated for a couple of hours. I think I’ll also make the heart in the middle a touch larger, to emphasize the shape more. One last top view before slicing. An interior view and three slices. I tried to a blueberry pie filling swirl, but the filling all sank to the bottom and made the crust a bit soggy. I saw a technique where one takes half the batter and flavors it, fill the pan with alternating scoops of the batters, and then swirl it together. I was concerned that method would turn the entire cheesecake purple, but it has to work better than what I did. Now to decide if I want to experiment doing it that way on my entry cheesecake, or leave out the swirl completely. A close up of a slice. Lessons learned from this practice run: If trying to swirl, use the half and half method and hope for the best since I don’t have the funds to do a second practice run. Do not use parchment around the sides of the push pan for a cleaner edge. Enlarge the heart in the center. Do not use candied lemon slices for decorating.

Eek! I’m a day late!!!

Prepare yourself!

For many years, I had no idea what time of day I was born. I had misplaced my original microfiche birth certificate and the replacement I received from the City of New York did not record the time of birth, only the date. This past year I finally found the way to order another official City of New York birth certificate which does include the time of birth. It turns out I was born in the early morning hours on the 21st of January in 1960, which apparently matches this year’s Hebrew calendar. So, prior to sunset today, my secular and Hebrew birthdays match up. From posts I have seen from others, it is apparently customary to wish others well on ones Hebrew birthday. I’m a few hours late, but even so I wish for all of you health, peace, and fulfillment. May you find your bliss and joy in the year ahead, and may it carry you through any challenges forthcoming.

From input I’ve received in various places, I’m going to go with the lemon blueberry. I’ve made it before and have more confidence than with going with completely new flavors. I’ll do a practice one in the next two weeks; someone suggested I swirl blueberry into the batter. I have a decent homemade blueberry pie filling I can leave the uncooked blueberries out of which I think will swirl nicely, and then I can use it in addition to the lemon curd for decorating. The practice one will test how the swirl works out, how it tastes and then to practice my decoration ideas. Ah… You probably would not care for mine then. I’m completely the opposite. I much prefer the style and texture of the cheesecakes made in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan in the mid 20th century; Cheesecake Factory’s are tasty, but they’re too light and fluffy for me. Mine are the denser, heavier Jewish delicatessen-style cheesecake. The competition is on February 8th, so I have time to hone it in.

woo-HOO!!! https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/17/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-equal-rights-amendment/

So, if one were to be considering entering a local amateur baking contest with a cheesecake, what flavor cheesecake would best appeal to a variety of judges one knows nothing about? Stick to the basics and do a plain New York with a homemade fruit topping? Freshen it up a little with a Meyer Lemon Cheesecake served with homemade lemon curd? Go indulgent with a white and milk chocolate peanut butter cup cheesecake? Maybe add a touch of coconut with a Samoan cheesecake? A childhood classic of a Cookies and Cream cheesecake? (no photo at this time) A Pumpkin cheesecake? Chocolate cheesecake with fresh strawberries? Possibly a savory Smoked Salmon Cheesecake? Or maybe a flavor I haven’t considered that would earn the judges accolades? (all of these were made by me in the past)

Happy Epiphany/Three Kings Day/Little Christmas

So… The past three days have been busy with bureaucracy dealings. As this is my birthday month where I’m turning 65, I am transitioning from Washington State Classic Medicaid for Adults, known as Apple Health to Medicare with Washington State Senior Classic Medicaid as my Medigap coverage. Unfortunately, while I wanted to avoid Medicare Advantage Plans at all costs, I could not find a Part D plan which had my walking chemotherapy in their formulary at a premium and copay I could afford, even with Extra Help. I’m now enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan starting next month. After investigating, I went with the plan which also has provided my Medicaid Managed Care Plan for all these years since I moved to Washington. Unfortunately, I do have several specialists I may need to change, particularly my original breast surgeon who I see for annual follow ups and my dentist, but it appears as if all of my other doctors are in plan. Except for my allergy medication, which is a prescribed version of Zyrtec, all of my medications, including my chemo, is in this plan’s formulary. Hopefully the transition will go fairly smoothly. I’m used to being on a Managed Care Plan, and have actually been very happy with all of the doctors and specialists who have seen me. I’m going into this Advantage Plan hoping the experience will be similar. All that said to explain why I am a few days late with posting this gif. I have either been in the DSHS offices or on the phone with Medicare and Apple Health choosing plans and figuring out how this transitional month between Apple Health and the Advantage Plan will work, especially in getting my monthly multi-thousand dollar chemotherapy refill. Happy Birthday Month to me! https://tenor.com/bWkWc.gif

חנוכה שמח! Happy Hanukkah!

Rabbit Rabbit! Rabbit!!

As we reflect on this past year, I still wish one and all that the New Year will be… https://youtu.be/rk3KH46dy3w?si=mOCCKwZF03BJkRma

Happy Hanukkah! There is sound, but I light the candles first. https://youtu.be/yqkwfcs9Akk?si=_RmnI0pC4ghM0V2M

A lovely end to Advent and entrance to Christmas. I remember this. https://youtu.be/MUWMjUjit_U?si=FKeEGO0rpGGPDUJ1

My plans for the next couple of days. More for myself so I hopefully don’t forget anything. Today: Get up and have coffee to function Start the “oxtail” au jus, although I use beef shank bones rather than oxtail. For less than half the price per pound, the shank bones work great Beorn’s Hanukkah gift finally arrived and his holiday package is ready to be mailed. Stand in line at post office while au jus gently simmers and reduces Make copycat Arby’s horsey sauce Cool: au jus and refrigerate Make béchamel for incorporating into dinner Layer and then bake lasagna for dinner Enjoy lasagna for dinner Put together and refrigerate overnight french toast casserole for brunch Wednesday morning Make garlic and herb paste to season standing rib roast overnight, then apply to roast Put individual apple sauce cups in refrigerator to chill Tomorrow: Get up and have coffee to function Listen for others to awake, if not already. Pull french toast casserole out of refrigerator to take the chill off while preheating oven and opening stockings, if we’re doing them Bake casserole while opening gifts Serve french toast casserole and have second cuppa Since it gets dark so early, light Hanukkiah and gift Hanukkah presents Make note of time and start reverse sear process on roast at appropriate time Grate potatoes and onion for latkes Prep honey-maple glazed carrots Pull roast from oven to rest Clear Hanukkiah from table and set for dinner Start carrots and finish au jus about half an hour before final sear Preheat oven to 550 degrees F Make latke batter and heat oil for cooking Brush herbs off roast so they don’t burn and turn acrid during sear Make latkes and put roast back in oven for 10 to 15 minutes Remove roast, turn off oven, and put plated latkes in cooling oven to stay warm Put au jus, horsey sauce, apple sauce, and sour cream on table if not already done Slice roast, plate carrots and latkes, and serve Relax, possibly enjoying any received gifts Enjoy Brenda’s homemade pumpkin pie! Thursday: Relax, until last minute notice of errands needing to be done is received Enjoy any planned overs Package what’s left of the roast and freeze to be pulled for beef stroganoff on either NYE or NYD, depending on what we choose to do Light second night Hanukkiah candles Sunday: Attend giant menorah lighting by CHABAD of Kirkland at Totem Lake At some point later during the following week, possibly on NYE or NYD, try my hand at sufganiyot

Definitely time for Sir Patrick Stewart reading A Christmas Carol to take center stage. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLiEya-Q4RR9U-s18jp6l4XgjPX16oAK&si=gp8tLwxYTyW3-4lR

For the holiday season. Symphony North - The Bell Ringer. I listen on YouTube. Recorded during lockdown, there are two versions: Full band playthrough: or the version I prefer… Full band play through with story narration between songs to tell the full concept: While not flashy like Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s live shows, the approach is the same. A Christmas-themed tale with rock music, including both original rock songs and classic Christmas carols done in a rock style. While a rock album, like T-SO it is very musical theater in approach. I definitely enjoy it at Christmas.

Ooo… This is good to know. It does appear to have never left Colorado, according to tracking. I’ll give it a try.

It’s been a mixed morning so far, and I haven’t even been awake an hour yet. Good news is Social Security has approved my Medicare application and I have been issued my Medicare number for coverage to start next month. I need to go to DSHS to apply for Senior Medicaid (as my standard adult Medicaid ends at the end of next month) and for assistance with premiums and deductibles. Bad news is Beorn’s Hanukkah present was supposed to be delivered yesterday. I even received an email from USPS to expect delivery by 9 PM. It didn’t arrive. This morning Informed Delivery shows the last time the package was scanned was in Colorado on Sunday, and the update says “arriving late, expected delivery unknown.” I reached out to the company who mailed it, but haven’t heard back and honestly don’t expect anything from them since they mailed it out on time.

Christmas dinner menu is being discussed. I’m planning on our usual reversed seared standing rib roast with au jus and copycat Arby’s horsey sauce. Vegetable is up in the air. Usually I do either baked potato, baked sweet potato, or garlic mashed potatoes for our starch. However, since the first night of Hanukkah falls at sunset on Christmas night, I think this year our starch will be latkes. I’ll definitely have both sour cream and apple sauce available, and maybe I’ll get some caviar as well for an extra festive touch.

Congratulations!

@Brad I’m wondering if it’s possible to make an exception? I think some people who may not frequent the forum regularly may only come once a month to post here. If they come on the 1st, and this thread opened on the 4th and closes on the 30th, they missed the window. Since this thread was started on the 4th, could the sign up window be extended to the 4th of December? That way it’s the full 30 days?